The Forgotten Marie Osmond TV Show That Vanished After One Season

Lauren Novak October 13, 11:52 am

Marie Osmond, publicity shot for OSMOND FAMILY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, 1980 — NBC/Everett Collection

What To Know

Marie Osmond starred in a little-remembered NBC variety show called Marie from 1980 to 1981, which aired only seven episodes and featured musical performances and celebrity guests.
The show was created during a difficult period for the Osmond family and was intended to revive NBC’s ratings, but it failed to capture the audience that Donny & Marie had previously enjoyed.
After a daytime show with Donny in the late ’90s, Marie again returned to solo television in 2012 with a Hallmark Channel talk show, also titled Marie. It focused on inspirational and lifestyle topics but, like her earlier series, it had a brief run.

When people think about the television career of Marie Osmond — who turned 66 on October 13, 2025 — their minds usually go straight to Donny & Marie, the hit variety show that made her and her brother household names in the late ’70s. Others may remember the late ’90s morning talk she hosted with her brother, or her brief tenure on The Talk in 2019. But Marie Osmond had one other TV series, a variety show simply titled Marie that aired on NBC from December 12, 1980, to September 26, 1981. With only seven episodes split across two short seasons, the show has been mostly forgotten, even by many longtime Osmond fans.

What Was Marie Osmond’s Forgotten TV Show?

The series came about during a tough time for the Osmond family. Donny & Marie had been canceled, their 1979 album Steppin’ Out did not sell well and Donny himself was moving away from the family brand. NBC president Fred Silverman, who had once greenlit Donny & Marie while at ABC, was desperate for a new hit after the failure of Pink Lady and Jeff. He hoped Marie would help boost NBC’s ratings.

Marie followed the same variety format that had worked before on her previous variety series with Donny: there were musical numbers, skits, comedy segments and a roster of celebrity guests. Marie performed everything from “I’m Coming Out” to “Fame,” while welcoming stars like Andy Gibb, The Pointer Sisters, Tony Orlando, Sally Struthers, Bob Hope, Andy Williams, Nell Carter, Scott Baio, The Commodores and even magician David Copperfield. Donny made only a brief surprise appearance in the premiere’s closing number to cheer on his sister, while brother Jimmy Osmond popped in for a guest spot later on.

Why Did the Show Vanish So Quickly?

Unfortunately, audiences never quite embraced Marie the way they had Donny & Marie. NBC had only contracted seven episodes, and the network aired them in two batches: four in December 1980 and January 1981, then three more in September 1981. By the end of that year, the show was gone.

Decades later, Marie returned solo to television once again with another project. This time it was a talk show, also called Marie, which debuted on October 1, 2012, on the Hallmark Channel. Unlike her variety show, the daytime series had an inspirational, lifestyle-focused concept. She welcomed celebrity and everyday guests for conversations about family, health, fashion and overcoming challenges. Marie often drew on her own life experiences, from raising eight children to navigating marriage, divorce, and personal struggles, offering her viewers encouragement and optimism.

Although the Hallmark series ended in 2013, it briefly found new life on Reelz in 2014 and has continued to be shopped for syndication. Like the earlier Marie, it was short-lived, but it once again revealed why she has remained beloved by audiences for decades.

Where Can You Watch Marie Osmond’s Lost Variety Show Today?

Unfortunately, Marie isn’t streaming anywhere today, and doesn’t seem to be available on DVD. A handful of clips can be found on YouTube and other video sites.